Picnic Areas & Events

Bolsa Chica State Beach rents beachside picnic areas for parties and groups through the California State Parks Special Events office. Prices run from $50 to $250 a day, or $100 to $350 on holidays, and four of the areas come with their own fire ring. Submit a Special Event Permit application at least 14 days before your date; a submitted application is not an approval until staff confirm it.

The Picnic Areas and Prices

From the State Parks Special Event and Picnic Reservation page.

Picnic Area 18 (south of Lot 19, by the basketball courts)

• 18A: $250 a day, $350 on holidays. Two picnic tables, one fire ring, partial shade, wheelchair accessible. Closest to the parking lot.
• 18B: $50 a day, $100 on holidays. One picnic table, partial shade, wheelchair accessible. The middle area.
• 18C: $250 a day, $350 on holidays. Two picnic tables, one fire ring, partial shade, wheelchair accessible. Farthest from the lot.

Picnic Area 12 (south end of the beach)

• 12A: $200 a day, $300 on holidays. Six wooden tables near Lifeguard Tower T. Not shaded; no fire ring.
• 12B: $100 a day, $200 on holidays. One concrete table, partial shade, one fire ring. Closest to the Bolsa Chica Tidal Inlet.
• 12C: $100 a day, $200 on holidays. One concrete table, partial shade, one fire ring. Next to the restroom.

Picnic Area 17

• 17A: $200 a day, $300 on holidays. Five wooden tables on a concrete area north of Lot 17 by Lifeguard Tower 20. Not shaded; no fire ring.

The State Parks accessibility survey lists accessible picnic areas at the south end of Lot 19, the north end of Lot 17 and the south end of Lot 14, with accessible parking, routes and restrooms, and says all picnic sites can be reserved.

How to Reserve

1. Read the guidelines. State Parks posts Special Event Guidelines with the rules for hosting an event on the beach.
2. Fill out the Special Event Permit Application, whether it is one picnic area or a large event.
3. Submit it at least 14 days before your date by email, mail or in person.
4. Wait for confirmation. A submitted application is not an approval; a Special Events staff member must confirm it.
5. Pay after approval. Staff contact you to collect fees once the date is confirmed and the event approved. Card payments need a Credit Card Authorization Form.

Email: Megan.Gierhart@parks.ca.gov and Natalie.Nunez@parks.ca.gov (State Parks asks you to include both). Phone: OCN Special Events Office, (714) 377-9422, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Mail: Huntington State Beach, "ATTN: Special Events," 21601 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, CA 92646. Walk-in: Bolsa Chica State Beach Visitor Center, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily (Visitor Center).

Alcohol at Events

Alcohol is banned at Bolsa Chica unless it is approved through a Special Events permit. The Special Events forms include an alcohol waiver; ask the office what your event needs.

Filming and Photography

Commercial filming and photography need a California film permit. Contact the park's filming coordinator (Megan.Gierhart@parks.ca.gov, (714) 377-9422) to check the date before applying through the California Film Commission. Drones are banned; drone use for filming may be requested under a California film permit.

No Reservation? Use the Free Spots

Unreserved fire rings and picnic tables are first come, first served, and you only pay for parking (hours and fees).